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Time for some new tires. What to get?


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One other note regarding Metzler and ‎Pirelli tires: These are the only makes that I have wore the rubber off to the cords (5X) and through the cords once leaving me having to tow my bike home 150 miles. I once had to replace a tire in Kalispel, MT and it was a Metzler. Metzler tires are made by Pirelli. Here is my last Angel ST at 5300 miles: 
 
SQyuZcy.jpg?1
 
Never had that problem with Dunlops, Bridstones, Avons, or Michelins.  I always like the performance of the Angel's and the Metzlers, just dislike the quickness they disappears when about 1mm near the wear bars.
 
 
 
 
 

 
I just rode Florida to Alaska and back on Road 5 and still had 1/16 away from the wear bars at 8500 miles! Replaced the rears in Bellingham, WA. We rode hard and fast all on secondary roads. Either way a far cry from the poor Metzlers at 5300 miles...
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  • 2 weeks later...
i just had a pair of Metzeler Roadtec z8 installed after 25k kms on the stock dunlop D222 (almost at the mark on the rear tire and minor cut on the front one).
the bike's handling has improved noticibly. 
Price was ~240EUR ~ 270USD all inclusive.
 
Luc
 
 
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Hope I made a wise choice here, Dunlop has a $75.00 rebate if your purchase a pair of tires, Raodsmart III
 
Been changing MX bike tires old school ( with tire irons) for years, considering no wheel locks or tubes, maybe will be a little easier. 
 
Based on a video, ordered a few tire changing tools also. 
 
Dunlop Roadsmart III Rear Motorcycle Tire 180/55ZR-17 (73W) - Rear - 2015 YAMAHA FJ-09
 
 
  $169.05
 
 
Dunlop Roadsmart III Front Motorcycle Tire 120/70ZR-17 (58W) - Front - 2015 YAMAHA FJ-09
 
 
$129.06
 
 
Motion Pro BeadPro™ Steel Tire Bead Breaker and Lever Tool Set
$49.49
 
 
Motion Pro RimShield II
$13.49
 
 
Motion Pro Bead Buddy II Motorcycle Tire Tool
$13.49
This is for knobby tires
 
Motion Pro Steel Wheel Weights Black
$1.59
 
 
K & N Oil Filter Black - 2015 YAMAHA FJ-09
$13.95
 
 
[video src=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAKIuSjPXxA]
 
 

1970 DT-250 / 1972 250MX / 1973 360MX / 1974 250MX & 1974 CZ 400 Red Frame & SC 500 / 1978 YZ 250 / 1979  YZ250 / (2) 1980 YZ 250 / 1986 YZ 490 / 1989 YZ250 WR / 1994 YZ 250 / (2) 2002 YZ 426 / 2007 YZ 450 / 2007 DR 650, 2015 FJ 09 / 2020 YZ 250

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I've done loads of manual tire changes for street bikes. Its work. Hopefully the tools you've purchased will help. I'd highly recommend a bead breaker, that will save you loads of time. Or use a wide jawed vice and be careful not bend the rim.

'15 FJ09

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Hope I made a wise choice here, Dunlop has a $75.00 rebate if you purchase a pair of tires, Raodsmart III 
Been changing MX bike tires old school ( with tire irons) for years, considering no wheel locks or tubes, maybe will be a little easier. 
 
Based on a video, ordered a few tire changing tools also. 
 
Dunlop Roadsmart III Rear Motorcycle Tire 180/55ZR-17 (73W) - Rear - 2015 YAMAHA FJ-09
 
 
  $169.05
 
 
Dunlop Roadsmart III Front Motorcycle Tire 120/70ZR-17 (58W) - Front - 2015 YAMAHA FJ-09
 
 
$129.06
 
 
Motion Pro BeadPro™ Steel Tire Bead Breaker and Lever Tool Set
$49.49
 
 
Motion Pro RimShield II
$13.49
 
 
Motion Pro Bead Buddy II Motorcycle Tire Tool
$13.49
This is for knobby tires
 
Motion Pro Steel Wheel Weights Black
$1.59
 
 

 
I had replaced the first set of stock tires at 4600 miles before my Lake Superior Circle tour trip.  This is the first time I have ever changed my own motorcycle tires and it went much better than expected.  You will definitely need some elbow grease for that rear though.  The front was a piece of cake.  
 
Since I have changed the rear two more times.  The front currently has over 13K miles on it and will be cooked by the end of the season up here in MN.  
 
I have found the RS II tires to perform very well, at least to the limit of the suspension and also do extremely well in the rain.  Also, at 179.00 for the set, they are a real bargain.  I have been contemplating a set of Pirelli scorpions for the next set as I may try some light adventure riding.  We will see how things go as the cold weather sets in.  
 
 
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My stock lasted 6500 miles before the wear bars were flush with the tread. If I wasn't due for inspection I would have ran them a little longer, but it wouldn't have gained me much. I ended up buying a set of the Michelin Road 5 tires. I'm hoping them serve me well.
'15 FJ-09 with an aftermarket parts addiction
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My stock lasted 6500 miles before the wear bars were flush with the tread. If I wasn't due for inspection I would have ran them a little longer, but it wouldn't have gained me much. I ended up buying a set of the Michelin Road 5 tires. I'm hoping them serve me well.
I'll new to the on road world, hard core off road since early 70's, could someone please explain/photo what I need to look for as far as wear bars, as in flush to the tread, I'm at 6K miles even and thinking/hoping it's good for another 1000 miles 
Is it the little tab I have circled? 
 
 
FJ_09_Tire.jpg

1970 DT-250 / 1972 250MX / 1973 360MX / 1974 250MX & 1974 CZ 400 Red Frame & SC 500 / 1978 YZ 250 / 1979  YZ250 / (2) 1980 YZ 250 / 1986 YZ 490 / 1989 YZ250 WR / 1994 YZ 250 / (2) 2002 YZ 426 / 2007 YZ 450 / 2007 DR 650, 2015 FJ 09 / 2020 YZ 250

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@foxtrot722 From the photo, it looks like you can get another 1,000 miles easily, the spot you have circled is the wear bar. In theory, when that is even with the rest of the tread, smooth all the way across, the tire is ready for replacement.

***2015 Candy Red FJ-09***

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Last week, I decided to put a set of RS III on since they had such a good rebate. I have ~6000 miles on the bike and the rear OEM tires likely would have last another 500 to 1000 miles. (Fronts would have lasted a lot longer but wanted matched set.)
 
One thing I noticed about the RS III is that in the rear tire in the deepest tread you can actually see the cords. Has anyone else noticed that?
 
I have ridden about 200 miles on the new tires and really like them, but have not pushed them on any canyon runs yet. Definitely looking forward to it.
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My stock lasted 6500 miles before the wear bars were flush with the tread. If I wasn't due for inspection I would have ran them a little longer, but it wouldn't have gained me much. I ended up buying a set of the Michelin Road 5 tires. I'm hoping them serve me well.
I'll new to the on road world, hard core off road since early 70's, could someone please explain/photo what I need to look for as far as wear bars, as in flush to the tread, I'm at 6K miles even and thinking/hoping it's good for another 1000 miles 
Is it the little tab I have circled? 
 
 
 
FJ_09_Tire.jpg

 
 
Yup that's the wear bar. My tires were just a hair less tread than that, but not quite to the wear bar and they wouldn't pass inspection. Techically in order to pass you must have tread good till the next years inspection. Each place has a different interpretation of what a year's worth is. I just got someone who wasn't willing to push the definition.
'15 FJ-09 with an aftermarket parts addiction
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"Yup that's the wear bar. My tires were just a hair less tread than that, but not quite to the wear bar and they wouldn't pass inspection. Techically in order to pass you must have tread good till the next years inspection. Each place has a different interpretation of what a year's worth is. I just got someone who wasn't willing to push the definition."
 
Guess we are lucky in SC, we don't have MC or vehicle inspections.

1970 DT-250 / 1972 250MX / 1973 360MX / 1974 250MX & 1974 CZ 400 Red Frame & SC 500 / 1978 YZ 250 / 1979  YZ250 / (2) 1980 YZ 250 / 1986 YZ 490 / 1989 YZ250 WR / 1994 YZ 250 / (2) 2002 YZ 426 / 2007 YZ 450 / 2007 DR 650, 2015 FJ 09 / 2020 YZ 250

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Techically in order to pass you must have tread good till the next years inspection.
I always chuckle when I hear that... what, do I need to show up with a brand new spare rear tire bungee-corded on the rack? :)
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I've never really worried about getting my bike inspected. It's only an issue if you get pulled over AND the cop knows to look for it.
Texas has finally closed that loophole. Each vehicle must pass an annual safety inspection within the 90 days prior to getting your license plates renewed. No inspection and/or no insurance (which is all electronically verified), and no plates.
 
Honestly, I like this new system...
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